Permanent Fitness

Hi, I’m Matt and this is my first post on the Permanent Fitness blog. I chose the name ‘Permanent Fitness’, because that is what I am striving for – I want to lose weight, get fit and maintain that state permanently.

My name is Matt and I got fat!

I was a sports lover since childhood. I’d probably run out of space here if I were to describe all the sports I’ve done over the years: I played football in high school and university, I trained rock climbing, kayaking, skating – I was a dedicated hockey player for a while, I trained martial arts for over 4 years, I cycled a lot, I am a PADI certified scuba diver and hold a licence of a sailor, and I’ve done many many other sports just for fun in my spare time.

Over the last couple of years, however, my life has changed significantly. After graduating from university I pursued a carrier in finance, which has led me over several companies into the job that I do now, here in Dublin. When I started working, my life changed completely. Living in hotels, eating late dinners in restaurants, working 10 or more hours per day and often on the weekends, I didn’t have time for sports. And I smoked. I gained weight, I knew that. I just didn’t know how much. Until that one day…

In Autumn 2007 I found a scale in a hotel bathroom. I stepped on it… and – 231.5 pounds! It struck me. I  am 6 feet tall, which gives a BMI index of 31.7 and means obesity. OBESITY! I knew I was overweight a bit – but obese?! Me, sports lover – 55 pounds overweight?! The worst thing was that I was still getting fatter. I gained that 55 pounds within just a couple of years and if that did not stop, I would have been 260 or maybe 380 by the time I was 30 years old. How would I look like by the time I was 40 – I didn’t dare to think.

That did it. There in the hotel room I decided to save my life.

The change

I knew that few succeed in losing weight and wanted to make it right the first time, so I prepared myself. I read many books, talked to nutrition experts and consulted a couple of doctors. In that process it turned out that I already had high blood pressure and an increased level of cholesterol – a perfect highway to a heart attack.

I started in January 2008.  I changed a job for a more settled one, went on a diet and begun exercising.

It went great in the beginning – I lost 25lbs in 3 months and I felt fantastic. I thought it will be quite easy to go another 30. In March, however, it stopped. My scale just wouldn’t move. I struggled to get back on track but somehow couldn’t. Then in May I started studying for accountancy exams and this completely took my attention off the weight loss for a couple of months. It is October now when I write this, I am back at 220lbs – not too perfect.

So I am starting again

I am starting again. This time equipped in all the knowledge and all the experience. Moreover, this time I’ll be running this blog to remind me daily of my commitment and to put pressure on myself by a public pledge that I will get thin and fit again.

You can follow my progress on the weight loss plan page. It will be updated weekly.

This time I am doing it – This time I will get thin and fit and I will stay that way PERMANENTLY.

If you want to support me in my struggle, leave comment.

Matt